Over the weekend, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law, which will ban the manufacture and sale of new animal fur products from 2023. In a statement, Newsom called this ban "one of the strongest animal rights laws in US history".

Those found breaking the law could face a fine of USD$500 or in repeat cases, USD$1,000. Certain fur products will reportedly be exempt from the new ban, though – including secondhand fur and fur products used by Native American tribes for spiritual or cultural purposes.

On the whole, this represents a really positive step forward for animal rights. "The fur industry causes the suffering and death of more than 100 million animals worldwide each year,” says Kitty Block, president of The Humane Society of the United States. So here's hoping that more states worldwide will now follow in the progressive footsteps of California.